Some 'awwww' pics from Monday's animal work - plus a video!

My little babies


Sleepy time in their little hidey hole!


Starting to wake up, looking to see what's going on.


Big yawn and a scratch!


Hiding face to go to sleep in a bit of an awkward place... And the fur on my over trousers is chinchilla!


Handsome boy!



And this is the beautiful Sally, who's very friendly, shakes for attention and curls up to sleep on people's legs.



Observing behaviour and just generally getting to know them! Another little glimpse at a very sleepy Sally, at the end of the video. Also, a little glimpse of Alfred, the scruffy ferret with the bald patches, who bounced across to investigate the phone.

Ignore the chatter through the video - the others were trying to figure out how to distinguish between the three sables. I was just sitting quietly, with my phone, sneakily videoing my fluffies Although I did pipe up with the first "Hello!" when one of the little guys crawled across my lap. The second "Hello!" was one of the other girls.

Lovely photos and video Eleanor!

I admire your courage! My only contact with ferrets has been at the wrong end of a bite!

To be honest, I was nervous when I first went in with them a couple of years ago. I think excitement and awe overpowers it. They're such playful, sweet animals!

Cuuuuutttteeee!!!! I would love to have a ferret as a pet. They have so much personality.

They're very dog-like! Some day, I want to get two or three ferrets. Putting up with the stench would be worth it!

We have Meerkat that are a bit 'ferrety' and they also stink!

The Meerkats on site are opposite the ferrets, so the smell's quite a cocktail! Not anywhere near as friendly, as they don't get any handling whatsoever, aside from medical.

The stench must run in the family!

Pity they're not tamer because most re very ticklish. I've met a few and all have them have curled up and laughed like a crazy if you scratch them under their armpits.
It sounds like they're mauling you but they're giggling-laughing.
To bloody cute. I might have a video somewhere.

I'll admit there have been times when I've wistfully wanted to touch one, but I'd sooner keep my fingers. They're kept as close to their wild state as possible, right down to the huge outdoor sand enclosure and enrichment, so touching is a huge no-no. I find it hilarious when people 'ooh' and 'aah' over how sweet and fluffy they are, only to come back at feeding time to see them tearing mice and chicks in half.

Very, very sweet little faces though! They've always been perfectly friendly when I've gone into their enclosure to feed them, jumping up to place their paws on your leg, chattering. Just as long as you don't put your hands near them!

They're quite nasty, super powers fast and vicious. They attack and kill black mambas soooo.... yeah... keep your hands to yourself.

In Oudtshoorn (just over the mountain from me) they have a Meerkat walk. Mornings and evenings you can walk through the veld with a still pretty wild group. They tolerate humans but are completely self reliant.

Incredible, aren't they? Meerkats and mongooses are two of my favourite predators. So easy to see the resemblance between the two species. Those sweet, fluffy faces and inquisitive nature, with that terrifying feisty streak!

To be honest, out of all of the species we have on campus, I'd say the meerkats and mongooses are among the most dangerous. We have plenty of venomous animals and large predators with huge teeth, but it's different. So graceful, as well!

Aww they are so cute.
Meerkats look so cuddly but David Attenborough's programme last week showed a wee meerkat having a scorpion for lunch, so yeah, I'd be keeping my fingers away

I watched that, as well!

Ohhhh, you are playing with ferrets!

Mainly just letting them explore, while we documented their behaviour. I wish I'd gotten a video of them actually playing with us - hanging off of our hands by their teeth!

I love ferrets! I would have 2-3 in a heart beat! My OH thinks they are rats on speed.

I plan on getting a few, some day. It'll have to wait until I have enough garden space to safely house them in an outdoor unit, though.

I have to wait till I convince Con that they are wonderful little critters he will enjoy playing with.

Wonderful, bitey little critters!

Eleanor wrote:Wonderful, bitey little critters!

Oh yes

I think it's funny when somebody gets ferrets and says, "Oh, it's fine! I'll teach them to stop biting!"

Errr... no. Just no. You'd have better luck teaching a fish not to swim!

I read an article on exotic pets and they specifically mentioned ferrets and skunks. They make great pets if you want something different but don't expect them to behave like a cat or a dog. They're wild animals and will defend against and not defer to humans.
One lady complained about how her skunk would not allow her anywhere near the fridge when he was active. She could only get stuff out when he slept
They can eat cat kibble and use a litter box but don't think of them as fluffy kittens !

I just remembered - another lady's ferret would break into her cupboards and steal cookies, flour etc and hide them behind the fridge or under the beds and sofa. She was always finding stuff everywhere.

Exactly! They're only similar to dogs in cats in as much as they have similar levels of intelligence, so they will actively play with you. It's in every shred of their nature to bite hard, even in play!

And woe betide people who get them, thinking they'll play nicely with their rabbit/guinea pig/other small furry...